BILL NUMBER: S1782

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to creating a state-wide
literacy education advocacy program and to study the viability of the
Newburgh armory unity center literacy education advocacy partnership

 
PURPOSE:

To study the effectiveness of the literacy education program at the
Newburgh Armory Unity Center and evaluate whether it may serve as a
model for other programs to increase childhood literacy rates.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 57, directing the Commissioner of Education to conduct a
study on literacy advocacy programs in the state, including the Newburgh
Armory Unity Center Literacy Education Advocacy Program (NAUC LEAP). The
              

purpose of such study is to determine the successes and effectiveness of
these programs in achieving their goals, with the intent of understand-
ing effective practices that support students being able to read at
grade level and score proficient on the grade three through eight
English language arts state assessment.  Within one year of the effec-
tive date, the commissioner shall report the findings, conclusions and
recommendations of such study to the governor, temporary president of
the senate and speaker of the assembly. Within one year of the effective
date, the commissioner is required to develop a literacy education advo-
cacy program to provide additional literacy instruction for grade three
through eight students. Such program shall be optional for school
districts across New York State.

Section 2: Effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Ensuring that children obtain the literacy skills they need to succeed
in life is critical. While local schools are the primary place that
students learn to read and write, extracurricular programs such as the
Newburgh Armory Unity Center Literacy Education Advocacy Partnership
(LEAP) can be a vital tool to provide students with targeted and effec-
tive literacy education. This innovative program improves the literacy
performance of elementary students in the school district by providing
personalized, direct, one-on-one literacy instruction to identified
students and integrates family and community involvement through
required, defined tasks and responsibilities connected to specified
goals for each child. A 2016 study by the Benjamin Center at SUNY New
Paltz found measurable increases in literacy scores for students
involved in the LEAP program; if a study by the Department of Education
finds similar positive results, the LEAP program could serve as a state
wide model for other districts looking to provide a comprehensive liter-
acy education to high-needs students.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2020 - S7995A Referred to Education

Assembly

2020 - A10105A Print Number 10105A

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined, but minimal.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.